Concussion Sidelines Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

CONCORD, N.C. – Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will miss the next two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway after sustaining a concussion in the last-lap crash Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway.

Regan Smith, who was recently released from his position as driver of the No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet, will drive Earnhardt’s No. 88 Chevrolet at Charlotte and Kansas.

According to a statement from Hendrick Motorsports, Earnhardt was diagnosed with the concussion Wednesday. Earnhardt was involved in the last-lap crash that eliminated most of the field Sunday at Talladega.

This all but eliminates Earnhardt from contention for his first Sprint Cup championship. He is currently 11th in the standings.

This isn’t the first concussion for Earnhardt, who also suffered a concussion in 2002

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